Flooding worsens in Brazil

posted 14 Jan 2011, 06:42 by Mpelembe
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updated 14 Jan 2011, 06:43
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Aabout 60 miles north of Rio de Janeiro - torrents of mud and water set off by heavy rains left a trail of destruction - toppling houses, buckling roads and burying entire families. Jon Decker reports.

BRAZIL-FLOODS LATEST - In a mountainous region in southern Brazil - about 60 miles north of Rio de Janeiro - torrents of mud and water set off by heavy rains left a trail of destruction - toppling houses, buckling roads and burying entire families.

The mudslides swept away the homes of rich and poor alike in and around Teresopolis.

Brazilian officials say more than 13,000 people were made homeless in the region, and rescue teams have yet to reach several of the worst-hit parts of Teresopolis.

Dozens of bodies have been lined up outside a police station in the city center awaiting identification before being moved by a refrigerated truck to a nearby church.

More heavy rain is forecast for the coming days, complicating rescue efforts and raising the risk of further mudslides.